Bachelor/Master Thesis: Ergonomic Redesign of the OpenEarable Earpiece

Background

Earables, or sensor-equipped earbuds, are becoming increasingly advanced, offering new opportunities for interaction and sensing. The OpenEarable (Röddiger et al., 2024) is the most sensor-rich earable globally, enabling extensive research in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). However, its current earpiece design closely resembles the AirPods Pro and may not provide an optimal fit for all users.

This thesis focuses on redesigning the OpenEarable’s earpiece to achieve a more ergonomic and general-purpose fit, improving comfort and usability across diverse users. The project will involve CAD modeling, prototyping, and user studies to evaluate different design iterations.

Tasks

• Redesign the OpenEarable earpiece to improve ergonomics while maintaining sensor functionality
• Develop multiple design variations in Fusion 360
• Prototype and manufacture test models using 3D printing or other suitable techniques
• Conduct user studies to evaluate fit, comfort, and usability across different ear shapes and sizes
• Iterate on the design based on user feedback and ergonomic principles

Requirements

• Experience with CAD software (Fusion 360 preferred)
• Interest in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and ergonomics
• Familiarity with rapid prototyping (e.g., 3D printing)
• Ability to conduct and analyse user studies
• Recommended: Familiarity with rapid prototyping (e.g., 3D printing)

If you are interested in this topic, please contact Philipp Lepold: lepold(at)teco.edu